HOW GODALMING TOWN COUNCIL IS PREPARING FOR LGR

Godalming Town Council has been actively monitoring Local Government Reorganisation to ensure the interests of the town and its residents are properly represented.

GODALMING TOWN COUNCIL’S ACTIONS

Local Government Reorganisation represents a major structural change to how local government operates in Surrey.

From the outset, Godalming Town Council has taken a planned and measured approach to understanding the changes and ensuring that the interests of the town and its residents are represented.

The following steps have been taken during the reorganisation process.

ESTABLISHING AN LGR WORKING GROUP

Shortly after the Government announcement, the Town Council established a dedicated, cross-party Local Government Reorganisation Working Group.

Its purpose is to:

• Monitor developments at County and Borough level
• Assess potential impacts on Godalming
• Identify risks and opportunities
• Report regularly to the Council

This ensures that preparations are considered carefully and transparently, rather than reactively.

EARLY ENGAGEMENT WITH RESIDENTS (MARCH 2025)

In March 2025, the Town Council distributed a leaflet to residents explaining:

• That local government structures in Surrey were likely to change
• That ownership of some community assets could be affected
• That early discussions about safeguarding important local facilities might be necessary

Residents were asked whether, in principle, the Town Council should explore discussions about keeping certain community assets under local management.

This formed the first stage of public engagement on the issue.

RESPONDING DURING THE CONSULTATION PHASE

During the Government’s formal consultation on Local Government Reorganisation, the Town Council:

• Published information explaining the proposals
• Shared the Council’s own response to the consultation
• Encouraged residents to submit their views directly

The aim was to ensure that residents were fully informed and able to participate in the decision-making process.

PROTECTING LOCAL COMMUNITY ASSETS

As discussions about reorganisation progressed, Godalming Town Council began working with Waverley Borough Council to consider the future of important community assets.

Several facilities have since transferred into Town Council ownership.

These include:

• The Wilfrid Noyce Centre
• The Burys Field
• Canon Bowring Recreation Ground
• Charterhouse Green
• Public toilets in Godalming and Farncombe
• Scout and Guide Headquarters (Burys and Ockford Ridge)
• Parts of Lammas Lands and Bridge Road

These transfers help to:

• Keep valued facilities under local democratic control
• Provide continuity of management
• Protect community use for the future

In many cases, the Town Council was already operating these facilities, meaning that ownership has changed but day-to-day management remains familiar.

FINANCIAL PRUDENCE AND TRANSPARENCY

Throughout this process the Town Council has taken a careful and responsible financial approach.

• No major borrowing has been undertaken as part of the initial asset transfers
• Existing budgets have been used to manage ongoing responsibilities

If any future proposals involved significant long-term borrowing or increased costs, residents would be fully consulted before any decision is made.

The Council’s aim is to balance long-term stewardship of community assets with financial responsibility.

CONSIDERING FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

During earlier consultation, residents identified a number of facilities and spaces that they believe are important to the identity and wellbeing of the town. The Town Council shares this view. However, some of these assets involve complex financial, legal and operational considerations and must therefore be approached carefully and responsibly.

The Council’s focus is on protecting those assets that are most important to the community while ensuring that any decisions remain realistic and sustainable for the Town Council to manage.

The assets currently being considered include:

Borough Hall

The Borough Hall and wider Bury’s complex are among the most important civic buildings in the town. The Town Council considers the complex to be particularly vulnerable during local government reorganisation, especially given the financial pressures the new unitary authority is expected to face.

There is a risk that, without strong local oversight, the complex could face neglect, closure or potential disposal. Protecting the Borough Hall complex is therefore the Town Council’s highest priority.

Holloway Hill Recreation Ground

Holloway Hill Recreation Ground is heavily used by many sections of the community and plays an important role in local recreation. However, the site requires significant investment.

There are potential external funding opportunities that could help transform and enhance this facility, which are not available elsewhere.  The Town Council believes it is important that these opportunities are actively pursued so that investment intended to benefit the town is not lost elsewhere.

Aaron Hill Recreation Ground

Aaron Hill Recreation Ground is an important community space that has recently secured substantial funding for improvement works. These plans include the development of a new skateboard and bike park together with wider landscaping and facility upgrades.

The Town Council welcomes this investment and looks forward to seeing the project delivered. Progress will continue to be monitored to ensure the improvements are successfully completed and deliver the expected benefits for local residents.  At this time GTC will re-evaluate the situation.

Phillips Memorial Park

Phillips Memorial Park is a much-loved central park and an important memorial landscape for the town. It is home to both the Godalming War Memorial and the bandstand, which are already maintained by the Town Council.

The park also contains the town’s memorial commemorating the Titanic tragedy. As the park lies within the floodplain it is unlikely to face development pressures, and therefore the risk to the site is considered lower than for some other assets.

The Town Council will maintain a watching brief and expects the future unitary authority to continue maintaining this important memorial space to the high standards currently in place.

Broadwater Park

Broadwater Park, with more than 60 acres of recreation and sports facilities including the lake, is of major importance to the town.

However, the scale and complexity of the site mean that it is currently beyond what the Town Council could realistically take on. While the Council recognises its importance, it must also be realistic about the limits of its present resources, operational capacity and long-term management responsibilities.

Current Position

At this stage:

• No decisions have been made about whether the Town Council will seek to take on any additional community assets.
• Initial feasibility work could be funded from Town Council reserves.
• Any proposal involving significant financial commitments would be subject to further public consultation before any decision is made.

The Town Council will continue to monitor the reorganisation process carefully and will act where necessary to protect the long-term interests of the town and its community assets.

ONGOING COMMUNICATION

Throughout the process the Town Council has committed to:

• Publishing information and updates
• Reporting progress to Full Council in public meetings
• Engaging residents before major decisions are made
• Updating this webpage as new developments occur

Local Government Reorganisation affects the whole town.
The Council intends to approach the transition openly, carefully and in partnership with residents.

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